His hands cupped her waist, pulling her to his chest in a possessive gesture. Nymre let him, and looking into his eyes, she smiled at him, a beautiful, dangerous smile of a predatory creature caught in the net of the night. The dim, magical ballroom, lit only by fairy lights, closed over them with darkness, she felt his shadows slipping under her dress, invisible to others, hungry.

“Let’s show them what we’re made of,” she teased him.

The music filled the air, spring-like, like a rippling stream during a thaw, but with a hint of something hidden, something unattended and wild – sometimes hitting a more disturbing note. Lorian held her closer, his darker presence needing her light.

“Of stars and moonlight and forgotten dreams,” he whispered in her ear.

And he led her into a dance.

It was untamed, as if the music that accompanied them entered their veins and filled them with fire, wind and raging waves. They surrendered to each other, flames beneath their skin, swamped by the azure tide.

Lorian took her on an adventure and she didn’t want to go back. Those moments with him were like soft feathers sliding down her spine; intimate, in a joyful, pure way. Something others had never expected from him. Something he held for her. Something unruly, dark and light at the same time. A mystery to be solved, a universe in his black eyes, ready to be explored. His dark aura and her lighter one, absorbing each other, created an almost palpable pleasure.

The music reigned over them, embracing them with the sound of blooming meadows, forests full of life and silent passages sleeping under a thick veil of snow. The sound of frozen caves and deep forests, taken by winter, forever.

“Of raging light and seething darkness,” she added, letting his hands slide down her hips.

“Of eternal night and frozen storms,” he smiled mischievously and kissed her neck, just where her collar exposed her skin. She sighed as his lips touched the sensitive spot behind her ear. She felt his darkness slowly explore her, a touch of shadow and desire.

The Fae gathered in the ballroom watched her; unknown enemies, loyal courtiers, those who would betray her if she were weaker, and those who admired her, openly or silently. The way he took her and filled her with rhythm and sound, it was something that captivated them, so the court allowed the spell to drink from their emotions. Lorian’s enchantment embraced them and swallowed them whole. Nymre’s smile conquering them again and again. They enjoyed it. They enjoyed it very much. Lorian seemed to be a different person when all eyes were on them and when he felt his lover’s aura brimming with contentment, drawing him to her with gossamer tendrils.

This was their time. This was their moment.

Before the whole world drowns in blood.